Bramshill Hunt, Arborfield, Berks

The last time I was in the Bramshill Hunt was illegally, as a REME Junior Leader, around 1962. The staff certainly have not been there since then, much to young and pretty. Apart from this I do not really remember it at all, just the sneaking through the woods to get there.

One thing that did confuse me a little were two banners outside emblazoned with “come on you Irish”. Never did get to find out what they were in aid of!

It is now part of the Green King Group and, I believe, under new management. Barry Johnson had dropped them in the orders a couple of hours before we were due to arrive so at least they were forewarned that about 30 people were going to descend on them.

In general they coped pretty well although a couple of people had to wait an inordinatley long time, probably due to the fact that they only had staff available for a normal Saturday lunch time.

Some Ploughmans!

I had picked the cheese and ham ploughmans lunch and I can say that it would have been hard to beat.

The cheese was a chunk or real cheddar and the ham actually tasted of ham. Add pickled onion, Branston pickle and a section of french stick and you have the perfect accompaniment to red wine or a gin and tonic (Josephine got the last of the red wine in the house!)

I think everybody else was suitably impressed with their choice and, at just over £10.0 for two of us it was indeed value for money.

Unfortunately it is unlikely that I will be in Arborfield any time again soon.